English

English Curriculum Vision

At Holly House, English lies at the heart of all learning across the curriculum. We provide engaging and enjoyable opportunities for students to develop and practise their literacy skills: enabling them to successfully access their next steps in education. Planning flexibly, within the National Curriculum Framework, ensures that learning is personalised, progressive and has challenge. We strive for every student to leave us with the necessary skills to be good communicators and have a love of reading.

Intent

English forms the basis for our development, relationships and our understanding of the world around us. The study of English is key to our personal growth and, through the development of effective written and spoken communication, it is the foundation for all our learning. At Holly House, we recognise that English is an integral part of our daily lives. Our aim is:

that English is an essential part of every lesson,
that students read for pleasure, enjoying a wide range of fiction and non-fiction texts which helps them to connect with the world around them,
that students write clearly, fluently and accurately in plain English, showing flair and creativity, where appropriate, developing detailed ideas and adapting language to audience and purpose,
that students use a wide range of appropriate and ambitious vocabulary,
that in speaking, students articulate and express their ideas, views and opinions about a wide range of topics, clearly and confidently whilst respectfully listening to those of others.

Implementation

English lessons will be planned and taught using the National Curriculum as a framework. These lessons will be:

accessible to all,
differentiated and
provide opportunities to catch-up on gaps in learning such at phonic intervention groups.

Impact

We hope that our students will be engaged, motivated and enthusiastic learners who leave Holly House, to further their education, with a passion for English as they continue to grow and develop.

English Overview of texts used

HOLLY HOUSE SCHOOL English Literature Overview 2023/2024

	Autumn Term 1	Autumn Term 2	Spring Term 1	Spring Term 2	Summer Term 1	Summer Term 2
Pod	Squash and a Squeeze – Julia Donaldson	Dread Cat – Michael Rosen	Be More Bernard – Simon Philip	Further texts to be identified and updated based on ability level of new starters	Further texts to be identified and updated based on ability level of new starters	Further texts to be identified and updated based on ability level of new starters
Class 1	Witches – Roald Dahl	BFG - Roald Dahl	Non- fiction	Non-fiction	Gangsta Granny– David Walliams	Gangsta Granny – David Walliams
Class 2	Billionaire Boy – David Walliams	The Boy in the Dress - David Walliams	Myths and Legends	Myths and Legends	Kensuke’s Kingdom – Michael Morpurgo	Kensuke’s Kingdom – Michael Morpurgo
Class 3	Short Horror Stories	Short Horror Stories	Non- Fiction Mysteries	Non-Fiction Nature	The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe – C S Lewis	The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe – CS Lewis
Class 4	Gothic Horror – Frankenstein – Mary Shelley	Gothic Horror Dracula – Bram Stoker	Holes – Louis Sachar	Holes – Louis Sachar	My Brother is a Superhero – David Solomons	My Brother is a Superhero – David Solomons
Class 5	Oliver Twist – Charles Dickens	A Christmas Carol – Charles Dickens	Macbeth – William Shakespeare	Romeo and Juliet – William Shakespeare	Skellig – David Almond	Skellig – David Almond

The English Curriculum at Holly House School is taught through the study of literature. Students will write for a range of purposes and audiences in each unit. Students will also develop their spoken English skills through a range of role play, discussions and presentations. Differentiation will be taught through: task, support, modelling, scaffolding and through qualification being sought. Progress will be measured against individual baseline assessment tests, at the beginning and end of each academic year, as well as continuous assessments in class.

hh progression map reading 1 9.pdf

hh writing progression map 1 9.pdf